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| The man in the woods by Dot | 17 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| Szepilona10 | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/7/2008 |
| I loved this story! God bless! ~Szepilona10~ | |
| meckinock | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 1/3/2008 |
| Congratulations on your well-deserved MEFA wins, Dot. I know you're too humble to post it on your LJ but we have ways of finding out, you know...I was especially thrilled to see this story recognized because it's just so wonderful. Author Reply: Thanks, Meckinock! I was delighted when the results were announced and I'm really flattered by your kind words about this story because, well, you know I was a little nervous about writing it ;-) | |
| perelleth | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/8/2007 |
| Wonderful Dot! Falathren sounds so true and childish and adult at the same time! I love how she sees her brother, and how she picks up the details: the ranger that brings her dad away, the sounds of the forest, the worm in the dead man´s face... it is a terrible jump from carefree life to the dangers surrounding that people yet it all ends up being a child´s realistic eye on life. THe last paragraph was thrilling, though,as she saw her refelction, her future, the life of Dunedain women in the women´s eyes. Impressive. COngratulations. Author Reply: Thank you, Perelleth! I'm glad you liked it, especially that you felt Falathren's voice seemed real. I really enjoyed exploring the story through her eyes. Thanks for such an encouraging review - it is very much appreciated! | |
| Tathrien | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/4/2007 |
| What a great story! You wrote Falathren so well- her emotions and thoughts were so believable for a young girl. I especially liked her being found by Aragorn. I am glad that he could be a source of comfort for her even when she had disliked and resented him before. "I looked away from the reflection of my future in the knowing gazes of the women" I am sure Falathren does not realize how true that statement will become someday. How sad! Wonderful job! Have a blessed day! ~Tathrien Author Reply: Thank you, Tathrien! I'm glad Falathren came across well for you - I really enjoyed trying to get into her head. And I'm delighted you liked that part with Aragorn because it just felt right to me to have him be the one to offer her comfort and understanding. Thank you so much for the lovely review :-) | |
| Nilmandra | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 6/3/2007 |
| Wow, Dot, this might be some of your finest writing. You were truly Falathren, in her head, experienceing this. I like the deeper overtones of Dunedain life and the positions and roles of the men and the women they leave behind. The girl with a boy's imagination indeed - I relate to that one. You do leave me wanting to know more - who was this person? What happened to them? Very well done. Author Reply: Thank you, Nilmandra. Gosh, that means a lot to me. I find I really enjoy getting into someone's head like that. Though I was a little nervous about stealing Meckinock's characters! I'm so glad you thought that Dunedain life came across - I wanted people to recognise the type of life these children lead and their heritage and beliefs. Thanks for the review :-) | |
| grumpy | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/31/2007 |
| I do like it when Meckinock has a birthday, I get to read the best stories. I loved this one from Halbarad's daughter point of view. From playing in the woods, to her beginnig to see what her part in it all will be. I like the part about her not being to thrilled with Aragorn, because he takes her father away. Author Reply: Thanks, grumpy! I'm delighted you liked this. I'm smiling here at your comment about the part with Aragorn - I wasn't sure about that when Falathren isn't my character so I'm really glad you thought it worked. Thank you so much for the review :-) | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/30/2007 |
| This is lovely, Dot. The small, incidental details you've included are great - the little girl tucking the frayed end of her skirt into her knickers; the children climbing over the fence the neighbour had put up to stop his goat eating the washing. These tiny snippets add so much life and colour to the story! Little Falathren is so brave as she sits beside the dead warrior to keep him company, but I feel sorry for her as they return to the village - she sees that her job will always be to sit and wait, while others do the great deeds. She could be a great warrior and Ranger too! Author Reply: Thanks, Jay. The details are always what I admire about other people's writing and I'm working on trying to make mine better - so thank you for mentioning that :-) And I'm glad Falathren's future came across. You're right - she could be a great Ranger! | |
| French Pony | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/29/2007 |
| Falathren is such a brave little girl. And kind, too. She shows the best part of courage in acting in spite of her fear. Author Reply: Thanks, FP. Meckinock does such a great job in showing the strength and nobility of the Dunedain even - or especially - at times of trouble that I was hoping that would come through here. | |
| Redheredh | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/29/2007 |
| Dot, this just blew me away. I don't know the characters that well, but it did not matter. You told this story well. Your descriptive writing was wonderful and impressive. Falathren expressed just the touching sentiments a child her age - and rapidly growing up - might feel. I felt her sadness and confusion and fears. Her nervous wait by the body, humming to alleviate the silence, was beautifully contrasted to her clinging to Aragorn's body and listening to his hum of life. And that very last paragraph... what a realization for a brave little girl - who could be a Range someday - to face. Like you said, still young enough for it not to matter too much - yet. A very good tale. Meckinock should be proud you 'borrowed' her characters. Author Reply: Wow, Redheredh. Thank you so much. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it and that Falathren's thoughts and actions worked well for you. I've never written about the Dunedain before and Meckinock does it so well that I was a bit anxious about it. Thank you for such kind words. | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 1 on 5/29/2007 |
| Wow, Dot, this is great. I was surprised and thrilled to see this story from Falathren's POV. It's so nice to give a girl a say. The guys get always get to be center stage. Falathren's observations about every time Aragorn showed up her father went away were perfect. That's what a kid would notice. Aragorn=bye, bye, Daddy. Alagos turned out to be a good big brother too. It's funny, but if you asked most older siblings today to watch the younger one so Mama could sleep a little, the wailing and gnashing of teeth would be heard in the next county. But Alagos was a responsible fellow and he was very nice to his little sister. As a younger sister, I can definitely say I like him. “and there will be apple cakes every day and all elves must let children ride their horses.” That sounds like the voice of experience. Perhaps someone was denied a ride? Possibly even for a legitimate reason? However, when one has the power, one might as well banish all denials no matter how sane. Falathren was impressed too. Oh, I'm smiling. What a great scene. Though unaware yet that my birthright as a Dúnedain woman was not to fight for our future but to sacrifice my loved ones to it with a resolute heart, I nevertheless did not mind that Ada never told me I’d be a good Ranger. Terrific line. It says so much about how hard things were and about everyone's participation in the fight, even if as a child Falathren didn't recognize the bravery of the women's fight. However, she was taking everything in. And poor Falathren did sacrifice her husband, brother and father later. This is lovely, and it's a tad eerie with foresight. I'm glad Aragorn told her she was brave. She is and she needed to hear it. Aragorn, the ada stealer, was the perfect person to tell her. Beautiful, Dot. Just beautiful. I enjoyed this very much. I'm so glad the ranger had a birthday! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. Author Reply: Oh gosh, I was so nervous about using Meckinock’s characters. I’m delighted you liked it. Alagos does seem to be a good big brother – but look who his ada is :-) That sounds like the voice of experience. Perhaps someone was denied a ride? Possibly even for a legitimate reason? Ok, that made me smile! That’s exactly what I was going for. I figured they might see an elf or two now and then and those horses must be soooo tempting. I’m really glad it made you wonder about the reasons behind it. The story was originally from a boy’s POV but it all fell into place much better when I changed it to Falathren because it gave the chance to glimpse the bravery and resilience of the women. I'm so glad the ranger had a birthday! Me too! I was thrilled to bits to see a new story from you. I’m hoping to spend the weekend catching up on reviews. Thank you for such a generous review, Karen. | |